Nothing screams "totally normal political dinner" like someone sliding an envelope stuffed with checks across the table at Morton's The Steakhouse in Honolulu. Hawaii's Democratic Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke has been hit with a grand jury indictment on charges of criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying campaign committee reports, as reported by The American Tribune. Four other individuals also got swept up in the 12 count indictment, including a former Democratic state representative and a transportation official. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
So here's how prosecutors say this allegedly went down. A lobbyist named Tobi Solidum apparently wanted to keep government cash flowing to a network of community COVID testing sites. His alleged strategy? Wine and dine politicians and offer them money and campaign support in exchange for favorable action. Truly groundbreaking stuff in the world of corruption.
The crown jewel of this indictment is a January 2022 dinner where prosecutors say Solidum's associate Kristen Pae placed an envelope containing two checks worth $5,000 each right on the table in front of Luke. The checks were reportedly made out to Friends of Sylvia Luke. According to prosecutors, Luke thanked them, grabbed the envelope, and dropped it into her handbag. Because apparently that is just how you accept a dinner gift in Hawaiian politics.
But wait, it gets better. Solidum allegedly told Luke during this steakhouse rendezvous, "By next week we'll have 35, so it will be halfway to our 70." Luke's reported response? "Oh wow. That's terrific." Just two people casually discussing tens of thousands of dollars over appetizers like they were splitting a dessert.
This whole investigation actually sprouted from a federal corruption case involving former state Rep. Ty Cullen and former state Sen. Jamie Kalani English, both Democrats convicted of honest services wire fraud back in 2022. Cullen allegedly recorded a meeting where an unnamed "influential state legislator" accepted roughly $35,000 for a campaign. State investigators had to wait because federal prosecutors warned that a parallel inquiry could mess up their own case.
Luke has acknowledged receiving and later returning two campaign checks totaling $10,000, but she has denied accepting $35,000 in cash inside a paper bag or doing any favors in return for contributions. She went on indefinite unpaid leave back in April after her attorney confirmed she got a target letter. She also pulled the plug on her reelection campaign.
Governor Josh Green, a fellow Democrat, released a statement that was basically the political equivalent of "you should probably go." He said Luke "needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter" so Hawaii can move forward. Nothing like your own party's governor publicly suggesting you clean out your desk.
Bail was set at $80,000 for Luke and two co-defendants, while former state Rep. Ryan Yamane got tagged with $150,000 bail. Solidum, described as having been continuously absent from Hawaii, faces four conspiracy counts and three bribery charges. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez announced the indictment following a six month state investigation, proving once again that the wheels of justice turn slowly but they do eventually show up at the steakhouse.
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